Man, 22, drowned in Blackpool sea while trying to save his friend who 'didn't want to live anymore'
25.01.2022 - 13:43
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A man drowned in the sea after trying to save his friend who 'didn't want to live anymore', an inquest into his death heard.
Alex Gibson, 22, had been on a night out in Blackpool when his friend called him from the North Pier in the early hours of July 30 last year.
He had been with her earlier in the night but the pair separated when she went to Sapphires nightclub, Lancashire Live reports.
Despite being unable to swim, Alex rushed to save her after she told him she was suicidal, the inquest at Blackpool Town Hall heard today (January 24).
The friend got out of the water and went to help when it became apparent that Alex was struggling.
Tragically, he was found face down in the water less than an hour later.
Speaking at the inquest, the friend said: "We were both in the water together. I was trying to help Alex because he couldn't swim. We were hanging on to each other trying to keep each other afloat.
"I realised that the only way we were both getting out was if someone got help so I told him that I was going to get out and get help. It took me a while to swim back because the current was really strong."
After managing to get out of the water she said she shouted back to Alex "to tell him it would be okay".
"I remember seeing him get further out. He was shouting for help," she recalled.
Mark Wright, who was sleeping rough in a shelter on the Promenade, told the inquest that he woke up at 4.10am when he heard Alex's friend screaming: "Alex I can't live without you."
Giving evidence, Mr Wright said he could see Alex "struggling to keep his head above the water", but then lost sight of him because it was dark.
Another man, David Langton, who had also been asleep, woke when he heard Mr Wight shouting to him: "Get on your